QFI names teledebate finalists

February 11, 2014 - 5:37:11 am

The Global Youth For Teledebates in progress.

DOHA: Qatar Foundation International (QFI), a US-based member of Qatar Foundation (QF), yesterday announced the finalists of its third annual Telepresence debate project — the Global Youth For Teledebates (GYFT) — in partnership with QatarDebate.

Six student finalists from Washington Latin Public Charter School in Washington, DC, will travel to Doha to participate in an international, cross-cultural debate with six Qatari peers, as well as experience Qatar’s historic and cultural attractions.

Using the latest TelePresence technology from Cisco, GYFT engaged American and Qatari students in a six-month curriculum, including two Telepresence debate rounds. Students collaborated internationally to develop and present arguments about whether or not junk food should be allowed in schools. Following the initial debates, the six were selected, via a competitive selection process, to participate in the Open Tournament of QatarDebate this month.

The students will join their counterparts in Doha to experience the Katara Cultural Village dedicated to Qatari culture, a traditional Arab marketplace and a desert safari – including camel riding, practicing falconry and dining in traditional Bedouin tents. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a river cruise on a traditional Dhow and visit the Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art.

“The debaters will be forming composite teams with debaters from our very own Al Bayan Independent Secondary School for Girls and Qatar Leadership Academy creating four composite teams.

The tournament will consist of four debate rounds, where the debaters will test their knowledge, critical thinking skills and rhetorical capabilities in a highly competitive environment. In preparation for the tournament, the debaters will be having four joint training sessions with the debaters from Al Bayan Independent Secondary School for Girls and Qatar Leadership Academy led by QatarDebate Coaches.” The Peninsula